Last updated on October 23rd, 2023
Where to Stay for London Marathon?
First held in 1981 the course is set around the river Thames where there also many hotels, b&b establishments and apartments for rent. Stay near the start or finish line or a short tube ride away.
Some of the best hotels in London can be found along the route which is always jam-packed with enthusiastic, cheering crowds. When it comes to somewhere to stay it’s best to plan now for the 2025 London Marathon. Why not book accommodation so you don’t miss out on any of the action?
The best place to stay for the Virgin Money London Marathon is in Greenwich or Westminster. The start of the race is from Blackheath and Greenwich Park, the finish at The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.
When : Sunday 27 April, 2025
Where is the Start of the London Marathon?
Thousands of people flock to London to see one of the city’s major events, the exciting London Marathon.
Allow us to give you a guide to two of the most important areas of the London Marathon course, along with recommendations for some of the best accommodation choices in the neighbourhood for you and your family to take advantage of during the sport, charity, and fun-filled weekend.
The London Marathon begins its 26.2-mile long course in Greenwich Park. The beautiful park is in the borough of Greenwich in the south-east of the city, with nearby attractions including the O2 Arena, the Peter Harrison Planetarium, Greenwich Pier, the Now Gallery, and the Royal Observatory.
Greenwich Park itself is one of London’s Royal Parks. Overlooking the River Thames, the park covers 183 acres and boasts a mixture of 17th-century landscaping with a London skyline that showcases the very best of modern innovation in the city.
Before setting off to the start line on Sunday, April 27th in 2025, you might want to take a look around, and enjoy the ancient trees, flowers, orchards, and herb gardens, following in the footsteps of the country’s kings and queens of old.
What are the Best Hotels near Start in Greenwich?
1. Novotel London Greenwich ★★★★ (Good Value)
Novotel London Greenwich is a great hotel right in the heart of Greenwich borough, able to provide guests with a comfortable and memorable experience. Not to mention award-winning beds, perfect for getting a good night’s rest before the marathon! This is the perfect place to set yourself up for a record-breaking time the next day.
Location: 20 minutes walk from Start
Doubletree by Hilton London Greenwich is a long-time favourite of visitors to the Greenwich area, the Doubletree lives up to its famous Hilton name. The hotel features restored 1940s architecture and is located very close to the iconic Cutty Sark, giving you a quintessential London experience when staying as a guest.
Distance from Start line: approx. 25 minutes walk
3. The Clarendon Hotel ★★★ (Affordable)
The Clarendon Hotel is a very special place to stay in Greenwich. The Clarendon Hotel overlooks Blackheath Common, very close to the start point of the London Marathon. Nestled in a road that boasts rows of well-kept Victorian townhouses, a stay in the Clarendon Hotel will give you all of the Mary Poppins vibes that you are looking for!
Distance from Start line: about 10 to 15 minutes walk
Where is the Finish of the London Marathon?
London The Mall
As we are sure you know, the arduous but rewarding London Marathon comes to its iconic end with a sprint down the Mall (see hotels), the tree-lined stretch of road leading up to Buckingham Palace seen countless times with coaches and horses on royal and state occasions.
This is officially within the City of Westminster in London, arguably one of the most famous neighbourhoods in the world, being the official home to the Queen!
There is no surprise that this area of the city boasts numerous attractions, from Buckingham Palace itself to Whitehall and Westminster Abbey, to Parliament and Big Ben. A day of sightseeing around Buckingham Palace and the Mall is essential for any London tourist.
What are the Best Hotels near Finish at The Mall?
1. Sofitel London St James ★★★★★ (Luxury)
If you are looking for five-star luxury, then look no further than the Sofitel London St. James. Boasting wonderful neoclassical architecture, the hotel also features an award-winning spa. Can you think of anything you would rather do after finishing a marathon than treat yourself to all of your favourite spa treatments?
Distance from Finish Line: 10 minutes walk
A favoured hotel of the rich and famous, St. James Court is as grand and luxurious as the name suggests. Marketed as a ‘slice of the past served on a contemporary platter’, the hotel is situated centrally between Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament. In terms of location, it doesn’t get much more quintessentially ‘London’ than that! This is the perfect hotel to treat yourself to after completing a challenging run across the city.
Location: approx. 10 minutes walk from Finish
3. The Sanctuary House Hotel ★★★ (Affordable)
The Sanctuary House Hotel is perfect for you if you want to rest in cosy luxury after a hard day on the roads. Located inside a restored 19th-century building on one of the oldest streets in all of London, the Sanctuary House is the kind of establishment that offers delicious ales and pies, combined with contemporary hospitality. Short walks away are landmarks such as Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace.
Location: approx. 12 walk from the Finish Line London Marathon
Book Cheap Accommodation
There are always b&b and hotel discount deals and special offers that can be found close to the start and finish. Finding a place to stay near the London Marathon start and finish line is easy to do. Don’t miss out on best room deals.
Make sure you keep looking out for cheap offers for hotels, a bed and breakfast, apartment rental or other types of accommodation. How about booking accommodation close to the start at Greenwich Park next to the Greenwhich Observatory or near the finish in the City of Westminster in the heart of London?
There’s a great selection of reasonably priced overnight stay accommodation all along the route so you won’t have any problems booking hotels or a cheap b&b. Hotels near London marathon start include the De Vere Devonport House, Novotel London Greenwich, Doubletree by Hilton and affordable ibis London Greenwich hotel.
> Find my London Hotel near the start or finish line of the marathon
If you are planning on running the London Marathon on April 27th, make a sprint to book your accommodation as soon as possible.
About the Virgin Money London Marathon – Sunday 27 April 2025
Visitors from around the world travel to the UK’s capital city to see the London Marathon where huge crowds are expected for the race. It’s the largest running event in London together with the London Triathlon (see hotels).
It’s one of the largest marathon races in the world with over 40,000 runners taking part. You can find plenty of affordable hotels to stay close to the start and finish line however it’s advisable to make a reservation well in advance for the 2025 event.
Of course, many of the competitors are running the race for various charities in the UK as well as overseas. Some of the world’s best athletes compete in this amazing event, so remember to take your camera to capture the occasion on film.
All of the family can enjoy the London Marathon in 2025 whether watching from the start or finish line. Maybe you wish to take part in the London Marathon yourself. You still have time to get into shape to run the race trying your best to complete the course.
There are many cost-effective hotels as well as b&b accommodation within a small radius of the race. You can easily find the best rates online, deals of the day and last minute deals.
Having trained for possibly up to a year, thousands of runners were left disappointed in 2020 when the legendary London Marathon was postponed due to the COVID-19 epidemic.
The London Marathon starts at Greenwich Park and Blackheath continuing through Surrey Quays, Brunel Road, Tooley Street and Canary Wharf.
The next stage of the race will take the competitors past The Tower of London, Embankment, Parliament Square and Birdcage Walk.
The final part of the race takes the runners to The Mall by Buckingham Palace in the City of Westminster towards the finish line.
Start Line and Finish Line area
The race starts from Blackheath and Greenwich Park. Runners depart from three different start lines and four different start times.
Blackheath start lines are on Shooters Hill Road and at Vanbrugh Terrace, the start line at Greenwich Park is on Charlton Way.
The finish line is in The Mall road in front of Buckingham Palace.
Read also: What’s the best area to stay in London for first time visit?
More information & resources
— www.tcslondonmarathon.com: official website
